A 99-YEAR-OLD woman died in a fire at her house in Rossendale today.

An investigation is now under way after the pensioner was found dead at her home in Mill Street, Bacup, this morning.

Firefighters were called to the terrace property after smoke was seen coming from the house at 9.35am.

On arrival, two fire crews using breathing apparatus went inside the home and found the elderly woman dead in her upstairs bedroom.

A neighbour of the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s really tragic what has happened.

“She had lived in that house for more than 40 years.

“She had no children of her own, but her nephew will now have to tell the rest of her immediate family about the bad news.

“Her 100th birthday was due in November, so this is so sad.”

It is understood that the victim had lived in Rossendale all her life.

A spokesman from the Bacup fire service, said: “We are not treating the fire as suspicious, but we have launched an investigation to find the source of the fire.

“The team found her body very quickly and the fire was put out in a matter of minutes.

“The woman had been overcome with smoke from the fire and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The damage to the inside of her house had been limited to the bedroom and upstairs but it was mainly smoke damage.

“We are confident that this was an accidental fire and not foul play.”